Hemingway Adventure

Havana, Cuba (sixth day)

‘Many people saw him with a drink in his hand and they thought he was always drunk, but go to hell, they didn’t know what they were talking about.’

‘Which of his wives was the best fisherwoman?’

‘None of them.’

‘What do you think of the American blockade of Cuba. D’you think that will change soon?’

Gregorio removes his cigar, but the smoke lingers a long time around his mouth.

‘I heard Hemingway once say that there was going to be a big war and the whole world was going to defeat the United States and leave them even less powerful than a small island like Cuba.’

‘Do you believe this?’

‘Yes, I think so.’

By the time we’ve finished both myself and Ernesto, who has been making a brilliant instant translation, are exhausted. Gregorio looks fresh as a daisy. For the first time in half an hour I take my eyes off his and look around. All work in the boat-yard has ceased and behind the camera, a crowd of local fishermen has downed tools to stand and watch the local hero.